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The premier international affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific, covering politics, defense and society from China and Kazakhstan to Myanmar and Australia. thediplomat.com
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The Diplomat
@thediplomat.com
· Dec 3
The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine
In-depth analysis and commentary on events across the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on geopolitics, defense, economics, social, and environmental issues.
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We're The Diplomat and if you want to know what's happening in Asia you should read us.
Hello Bluesky!
We're The Diplomat and if you want to know what's happening in Asia you should read us.
Takaichi has the largest majority of any Japanese PM since World War II. Now she must decide how to tackle Japan’s difficult strategic environment.
Japan After the Landslide: Takaichi’s Supermajority and the Trump Challenge
Takaichi has the largest majority of any Japanese PM since World War II. Now she must decide how to tackle Japan’s difficult strategic environment.
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February 10, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Takaichi has the largest majority of any Japanese PM since World War II. Now she must decide how to tackle Japan’s difficult strategic environment.
The trajectory of India’s foreign aid in the 2026–27 budget should surprise no one. New Delhi is doing what regional powers always do — stretching limited funds where they buy the most influence.
The Geopolitics of India’s Foreign Assistance for 2026-27
In a region that increasingly benchmarks everything against China’s tempo, India’s aid will only buy influence when it also buys confidence.
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February 10, 2026 at 2:23 PM
The trajectory of India’s foreign aid in the 2026–27 budget should surprise no one. New Delhi is doing what regional powers always do — stretching limited funds where they buy the most influence.
If actors with different visions for Bangladesh cooperate in crafting the rules of the game, the outcome may not sustain a stable system of governance.
Why Bangladesh’s Referendum is a Gamble
If actors with different visions for Bangladesh cooperate in crafting the rules of the game, the outcome may not sustain a stable system of governance.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 1:28 PM
If actors with different visions for Bangladesh cooperate in crafting the rules of the game, the outcome may not sustain a stable system of governance.
Thailand's conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to be returned to office after a general election in which the expected progressive “orange wave” failed to materialize.
Conservative Bhumjaithai Party Wins Decisive Victory in Thai General Election
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to be returned to office after the expected progressive “orange wave” failed to materialize.
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February 10, 2026 at 12:33 PM
Thailand's conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to be returned to office after a general election in which the expected progressive “orange wave” failed to materialize.
The agreement symbolizes the health of the relationship between Canberra and Jakarta, but stops short of providing binding security guarantees.
Indonesia, Australia Sign Security Treaty, Pledge Joint Consultations
The agreement symbolizes the health of the relationship between Canberra and Jakarta, but stops short of providing binding security guarantees.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 11:29 AM
The agreement symbolizes the health of the relationship between Canberra and Jakarta, but stops short of providing binding security guarantees.
In “The Islands and the Stars,” Subodhana Wijeyeratne charts how Tokyo’s space program has changed over the past century.
How Did Japan’s Space Program Evolve?
In “The Islands and the Stars,” Subodhana Wijeyeratne charts how Tokyo’s space program has changed over the past century.
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February 10, 2026 at 10:36 AM
In “The Islands and the Stars,” Subodhana Wijeyeratne charts how Tokyo’s space program has changed over the past century.
China has big Arctic ambitions, but Greenland doesn't play much of a role in those dreams.
What Is Greenland’s Role in China’s Arctic Strategy?
Trump’s obsession with Greenland could actually create the result he is so afraid of: increasing China’s Arctic presence.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 9:34 AM
China has big Arctic ambitions, but Greenland doesn't play much of a role in those dreams.
Philippine lawmakers have hurled accusations against some of their colleagues for allegedly taking a pro-China stand on the issue of the South China Sea.
What Does It Means to be ‘Pro-China’ in the Philippines?
China’s influence and activities are set to animate the political debates in the run-up to the next presidential election in 2028.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Philippine lawmakers have hurled accusations against some of their colleagues for allegedly taking a pro-China stand on the issue of the South China Sea.
The massive Medog project exemplifies Beijing’s broader drive to harness Tibet’s immense hydropower potential while advancing economic, technological, and geopolitical ambitions.
What’s Driving China’s Mega Medog Hydropower Project?
Energy security, frontier development, technological ambition, and geopolitical calculation are increasingly intertwined in China’s infrastructure strategy.
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February 10, 2026 at 7:32 AM
The massive Medog project exemplifies Beijing’s broader drive to harness Tibet’s immense hydropower potential while advancing economic, technological, and geopolitical ambitions.
Indian defense officials say that the inflated spending reflects a new focus on military modernization triggered by Operation Sindoor.
India’s Defense Budget Jumps 15 Percent
Defense officials say that the inflated spending reflects a new focus on military modernization triggered by Operation Sindoor.
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February 10, 2026 at 6:40 AM
Indian defense officials say that the inflated spending reflects a new focus on military modernization triggered by Operation Sindoor.
Russia is recruiting increasing numbers of fighters from the region, using deceptive practices pioneered by Southeast Asia-based online scam operations.
Southeast Asia’s Mercenary Pipeline
Russia is recruiting increasing numbers of fighters from the region, using deceptive practices pioneered by Southeast Asia-based online scam operations.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Russia is recruiting increasing numbers of fighters from the region, using deceptive practices pioneered by Southeast Asia-based online scam operations.
A day after suffering a shock defeat at a general election, the progressive People’s Party has been dealt a fresh blow by the national anti-graft body.
44 Former Progressive Thai MPs Face Lifetime Ban From Politics
A day after suffering a shock defeat at a general election, the progressive People’s Party has been dealt a fresh blow by the national anti-graft body.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 4:31 AM
A day after suffering a shock defeat at a general election, the progressive People’s Party has been dealt a fresh blow by the national anti-graft body.
Onscreen and in real life, Southeast Asia takes the heat for a global wave of cybercrime.
Cambodia’s Image Problem
Onscreen and in real life, Southeast Asia takes the heat for a global wave of cybercrime.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 3:29 AM
Onscreen and in real life, Southeast Asia takes the heat for a global wave of cybercrime.
Trump’s obsession with Greenland could actually create the result he is so afraid of: increasing China’s Arctic presence.
What Is Greenland’s Role in China’s Arctic Strategy?
Trump’s obsession with Greenland could actually create the result he is so afraid of: increasing China’s Arctic presence.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Trump’s obsession with Greenland could actually create the result he is so afraid of: increasing China’s Arctic presence.
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to expand exports and employment. But many of the sectors set to benefit are also among India’s most polluting.
India-EU Trade is Set to Grow. Its Environmental Costs May Grow Faster.
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to expand exports and employment. But many of the sectors set to benefit are also among India’s most polluting.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 1:32 AM
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to expand exports and employment. But many of the sectors set to benefit are also among India’s most polluting.
Drilling was supposed to start in Kazakhstan’s Chu-Sarysu Basin in late 2025, with Canada’s Laramide Resources targeting high-grade, large-scale uranium deposits.
Instead, on January 20, the company announced that it was abandoning the project.
Instead, on January 20, the company announced that it was abandoning the project.
Why Did Canadian Firm Laramide Abandon a Uranium Project in Kazakhstan?
Laramide President and CEO Marc Henderson called recent changes to the country’s subsoil use law “a spectacular own goal.” He characterized it as “de facto nationalization.”
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Drilling was supposed to start in Kazakhstan’s Chu-Sarysu Basin in late 2025, with Canada’s Laramide Resources targeting high-grade, large-scale uranium deposits.
Instead, on January 20, the company announced that it was abandoning the project.
Instead, on January 20, the company announced that it was abandoning the project.
Taiwan is rapidly expanding its offshore wind sector as part of a broader push for clean energy. Migrant workers at some of these manufacturers say they incurred heavy debts to pay recruiters for their jobs, raising the risk of debt bondage as they worked to pay them off.
Winds of Change: Can Taiwan’s Offshore Wind Deliver Fair Work Too?
Workers report debt-linked recruitment. Companies, financiers, and Taiwan’s government face a test of remedy.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 11:30 PM
Taiwan is rapidly expanding its offshore wind sector as part of a broader push for clean energy. Migrant workers at some of these manufacturers say they incurred heavy debts to pay recruiters for their jobs, raising the risk of debt bondage as they worked to pay them off.
China’s disinformation machinery kicked into high gear to launch its latest attack against the Tibetan spiritual leader.
The Epstein Files and China’s Information War Against the Dalai Lama
China’s disinformation machinery kicked into high gear to launch its latest attack against the Tibetan spiritual leader.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM
China’s disinformation machinery kicked into high gear to launch its latest attack against the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Australia’s prime minister pledged to reclaim operational control of the Darwin port. That still hasn’t happened, but the time might be drawing near.
Will Darwin Port Remain Under Chinese Control?
Australia’s prime minister pledged to reclaim operational control of the port. That still hasn’t happened, but the time might be drawing near.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Australia’s prime minister pledged to reclaim operational control of the Darwin port. That still hasn’t happened, but the time might be drawing near.
The fate of North Korean POWs in Ukraine has become a consequential legal and geopolitical question.
What Will Happen to North Korean POWs in Ukraine?
The South Korean government has repeatedly conveyed its willingness to accept the soldiers as its citizens after the war.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 7:28 PM
The fate of North Korean POWs in Ukraine has become a consequential legal and geopolitical question.
The Jamaat-e-Islami party’s constitution explicitly supports the implementation of Sharia. In their election speeches, leaders are singing a different tune.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Election Doublespeak
The party’s constitution explicitly supports the implementation of Sharia. In their election speeches, leaders are singing a different tune.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 6:37 PM
The Jamaat-e-Islami party’s constitution explicitly supports the implementation of Sharia. In their election speeches, leaders are singing a different tune.
Takaichi has the largest majority of any Japanese PM since World War II. Now she must decide how to tackle Japan’s difficult strategic environment.
Japan After the Landslide: Takaichi’s Supermajority and the Trump Challenge
Takaichi has the largest majority of any Japanese PM since World War II. Now she must decide how to tackle Japan’s difficult strategic environment.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Takaichi has the largest majority of any Japanese PM since World War II. Now she must decide how to tackle Japan’s difficult strategic environment.
If actors with different visions for Bangladesh cooperate in crafting the rules of the game, the outcome may not sustain a stable system of governance.
Why Bangladesh’s Referendum is a Gamble
If actors with different visions for Bangladesh cooperate in crafting the rules of the game, the outcome may not sustain a stable system of governance.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 4:33 PM
If actors with different visions for Bangladesh cooperate in crafting the rules of the game, the outcome may not sustain a stable system of governance.
Thailand's conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to be returned to office after a general election in which the expected progressive “orange wave” failed to materialize. buff.ly/CniwO2r
February 9, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Thailand's conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to be returned to office after a general election in which the expected progressive “orange wave” failed to materialize. buff.ly/CniwO2r
Many internationals now assume that Myanmar’s political future will ultimately be determined by Beijing. This is a profound misreading. buff.ly/L1WAcya
February 9, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Many internationals now assume that Myanmar’s political future will ultimately be determined by Beijing. This is a profound misreading. buff.ly/L1WAcya